Suspended ceiling construction



March 7, 1967 W. H. ADES 3,308,288

SUSPENDED CEILING CONSTRUCTION Filed 0G13. 29, 1964 2 Shee'llS-Shee'b lMarch 7, 1967 w. H. ADI-:s 3,308,288

SUSPENDED CEILING CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 29, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'BYS$12 United States Patent O 3,308,288 SUSPENDED CEILING CONSTRUCTIONWilliam H. Ades, 6846 Nestle Ave., Reseda, Calif. 91335 Filed Oct. 29,1964, Ser. No. 407,387 8 Claims. (Cl. 240-9) The present inventionrelates to a suspended ceiling construction, and more particularly tolight fixture and air vent installations in suspended ceilings which are4adapted to be quickly, conveniently, and economically moved from onelocation to another.

Suspended ceilings are now in widespread usage, particularly inmulti-story office buildings. They involve, generally, fa plurality ofceiling support beams which are suspended in a common horizontal plane,as for example by wires which are attached to the roof or to the nexthigher floor of the building, as the -case may be. These ceiling supportbeams are generally provided, on each lower longitudinal edge, with anoutwardly extending horizontal flange which is adapted to supportceiling tiles. A number of different designs of ceiling tiles arecurrently in usage, but they share the common characteristic of beingadapted to be supported by the flanges of the ceiling support beams,either in a relatively permanent installation Ior in a removableinstallation.

Prior to the present invention the conventional practice has been toinstall light fixtures and air vents in suspended ceilings as permanentstructures. Thus, the ceiling tiles can be easily removed either forreplacement purposes or to obtain access to the plenum are-a above thesuspended ceiling, but the light fixtures and air vents have not beenthus easily removed.

At the time of construction of the building the locations of lightfixtures and air vents are determined with reference to the locations ofpartitions in the structure. However, requirements for the usage offloor space change, particularly in large office buildings, and itfrequently becomes necessary to relocate partitions. In conjunction withthe relocation of partitions it also, very often, becomes necessary torelocate light fixtures and air vents.

The present invention is concerned, therefore, with light fixture andair vent installations in suspended ceilings, which are initially of asemi-permanent type, in the sense that they are constructed with a viewtoward being easily moved to a different location in these suspendedceilings Whenever that may be required.

The primary object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide autility device construction, for a light fixture oran air vent, which isadapted to be incorporated into a suspended ceiling construction, andwhen thus incorporated may thereafter be easily removed and replacedwith tile, in order to relocate the utility device at a new positionwithin the same suspended ceiling structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a removable frame forhousing -a utility device, such -as a light fixture lens or air vent,and which is adapted to be removably incorporated into a suspendedceiling construction in lieu of tile, and when thus incorporated to besuspended by substantially the same means that tile is suspended in theceiling structure.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will bemore fully understood from the follow- 3,308,288 Patented Mar. 7, 1967ICC ing description considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a 4perspective view of a light fixture installation inaccordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical cross-sectional View taken 0n the line 2 2 ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of one portion of thelight fixture installation;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view taken on the line 4-4 `of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a plan View taken on the line 5 5 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of an alternate form of light fixtureinstallation;

FIGURE 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line 7-7 ofFIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a vertical cross-sectional View of `a typical tileinstallation in the suspended ceiling structure; and

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of a corner connecter utilized in theinvention.

In FIGURE 1 the numeral 15 indicates a ceiling `support beam which islocated above the tiles 10 'and hence is not visible. Second, third, andfourth ceiling support beams 16, 17, and 18, respectively, are locatedin the same horizontal .plane as the beam 15.

A plurality of rectangular ceiling tiles 10 are located in end-to-endarray, and are supported between a parallel beam pair consisting of thebeams 15 and 116. A second plurality of tiles 11 are supported insimilar fashion between the third beam pair 17, 18. A third plurality oftiles 12 (indicated only in FIGURE 3) are located at one end of lightingfixture F between the second beam pair 16, 17, and a fourth plurality oftiles 13 as indicated in FIGURE 1 are located at the other end offixture F.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 2 where the structure of ceiling supportbeams 16 and 17 is shown in crosssection. The beam 16 on its lowerextremity has a horiz-ontal flange 16a extending to the left, and ahorizontal flange 16b extending to the right. The upper extremity of thebeam 16 is designated 16e, and in `this particular instance is enlargedin the form of what is commonly referred to in the trade as a bulb. Beam17 is constructed in an identical fashion.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 8 illustrating the manner in which theceiling beams ordinarily support the ceiling tiles. It will be seen thatthe tiles illustrated in the present drawings are of the type known asshiplap tiles, although the invention is by no means limited to the useof such ti-les. Each of the tiles has cut or kerfed ends so as to4receive a spline 50, as best shown in FIG- URE 3. As shown in FIGURE 8the ends of the spline protrude beyond the sides of the tile, so thatthe spline can be used to provide vertical support for the tile.Specifically, the right-hand end of tile 10 abuts against the outer endof the left flange 16a of beam 16, and the spline 50 associated with thetile 10 extends over the beam flange 16a so as to support the tile 10therefrom. Tile 13 on its left edge has a shallow portion which extendsacross the full width of the beam 16, including both the flange 16a andthe flange 16b thereof, so that the left edge of tile 13 abuts againstthe right edge of tile 10, thus providing a continuous structure asviewed from below the suspended ceiling. The lright-hand side of tile 13abuts against the left edge of the left flange 17a of beam 17. Thespline 50 associated with tile 13 extends across the entire width ofthat portion of the tile which protrudes above the flanges 16b, 17a. Itis of sufficient additional llength so that it hooks over both of theflanges 16b and 17a, for providing vertical support to the tile. Insimilar fashion the left-hand edge of tile 11 extends beneath theflanges 17a and 17]? of beam 17, while the spline 50 associatedtherewith hooks over the upper surface of flange 1712.

In accordance with the present invention, and as may best be seen bycomparing FIGURES 2 and 8, the structure of the ceiling support beamsremains unchanged, and the plurality of tiles on the left side of beam16 as well as the plurality of tiles 11 on the right side of the beam 17`also remain unchanged. The light fixture F, therefore, is supportedbetween the beams 16 and 17, with the lower portion thereof beingsubstituted in the exposed ceiling surface in lieu of tiles.

It may be noted that the light fixture F shown in FIG- URE l isapproximately 24 inches wide and 48 inches long, and the ceiling supportbeams 15, 16, 17, 18 shown in FIGURE 1 are arranged on approximately 24inch centers. Thus the light fixture F, including a metal can 40 whichhouses a number of fluorescent light bulbs 41, is arranged in adirection such that its ylength is parallel to the beams 16, 17. Thatthe invention is not thus limited will be apparent from the subsequentdescription of FIGURE 6.

As shown in FIGURE 2 the light fixture can 40 is provided on its twosides with spacers tha and 4Gb, respectively, to which spring latches43, 44, are respectively attached. In the installed position as shown inFIGURE 2 the catch on the lower end of spring latch 43 hooks beneath theouter and lower longitudinal edge of the bulb 16C of beam 16; and thecatch on the lower end of latch 44 hooks beneath the lower and outerlongitudinal edge of the bulb 17C of beam 17. The spring latches 43 and44 are made of resilient material, however, and can be deflectedoutwardly, so as to lift the can from its engagement with the beams whenso desired. An advantage of the spring latches is that Vlabor time inthe installation of the light fixture is saved, since no tools need tobe manipulated by the workman in order to secure the can 40 in place.Likewise, when the light fixture is to be moved to a different locationin the ceiling, no tools are required by the workmen to bend the latches43 and 44 outward and lift the can from its position on the beams.

The other component parts of the fixture F include a light lens framewhich has frame members 20, 21, 22, and 23, fastened together by fourfasteners 25; and a rectangular light lens 30. The light lens frame issupported from the beam flanges 16b and 17a in the same manner that astring of tiles would be supported from those beam flanges, if the lightfixture were not being used in this particular location in the ceiling.The light .lens 30 is supported by the frame members 2li-23; and it issignificant to note that there is no mechanical coupling between thelight lens and the metal can 40 of the fixture.

According to techniques of the prior art .a light fixture has beenpermitted to preserve its integrity as an independent unit, and thelight lens has been an integral part of the fixture including the metalcan 40 or its equivalent. Thus according to the prior art technique thecomplete fixture as a unit has been attached to and supported from thebeams. According to the present invention, as most clearly shown inFIGURE 2, the lighting fixture F is separated into two distinctassemblies, not physically connected to each other. One assembly is thecan 40 containing the fluorescent bulbs 41 and having the spacers 40a,4Gb, and the spring latches 43, 44 attached thereto. This entireassembly is attached to the upper extremities of the ceiling supportbeams 16 and 17. The other assembly includes the frame members 20-23 andthe lens 30, and is attached to the lower extremities of the beams 16,17. Thus according to the 4. present invention the can 4t) and the lensframe are installed as separate items, each being removably attached tothe ceiling support beams ,and when the entire fixture is to be moved toa different -location they are separately detached from the ceilingsupport beams in order to move them to their new desired location.

It therefore follows that the ceiling beams 16, 17 are actually a partof the light fixture. As can readily be seen from FIGURE 2, the innerwalls of the ceiling beams 16 and 17 cooperate with the metal can 40 indirecting light from the light bulbs 41 downward through the light lens30. Of course, the beams 16 and 17 are permanent parts of the suspendedceiling installation, hence when the lighting fixture is moved to adifferent ceiling location a different pair of ceiling beams willnecessarily become an integral part of the xture.

In the embodiment of FIGURE l the lens frame includes frame side members2t) and 21, and frame end members 22 and 23. The ends of each of theframe members are cut at a 45 degree angle, not specifically shown, sothat the four frame members may be attached together to form arectangular frame. The end frame members 22 and 23 are of identicalcross-section, namely that shown in FIGURE 3, but the side frame members20 and 21 are of differing cross-sections as shown in FIGURE 2. Each ofthe frame members is of constant cross-section throughout its length andis preferably formed as an aluminum extrusion.

Referring to FIGURE 2, the frame member 20 has an inwardly extendinghorizontal flange 20a adapted to support one edge of the light lensplate 30. Member 20 has a fiat under surface 2Gb which extends from theedge of tile 10 across the entire width `of flanges 16a and 16b of thebeam 16, and somewhat beyond the edge of flange 16b. The flat undersurface 20b provides a decorative appearance, as is conventional. Theouter edge of frame member 20 has a vertical wall forming an exteriorwall surface 20c which engages the vertical edge of the tile 10. Formedinside the external wall of the member 20 is a channel 20d, which isadapted to receive one end of the corner fastener 25. Member 2t) has acentral section 20e which extends vertically upward in parallelrelationship to the outer wall, and whose lower portion in conjunctionwith the lower portion of the outer wall forms the channel 20d. At itsupper extremity the portion 20e is turned over into a horizontallyextending portion 20f which is parallel to the flange 20a, andcoextensive therewith. Portion 20j engages the under surface of beamflange 16b. The right-hand edge of Ztlf extends up and into the portion20g which extends leftward and hence hooks over a portion of the uppersurface of the beam flange 16b. Thus in the installed position as shownthe frame member portion 20g provides Vertical support for the framefrom the beam flange 16b, in substantially the same manner as the tile13 would be supported by the beam flange if the tile 13 were occupyingthe space rather than the light lens frame.

Frame member 21 has a horizontal flange portion 21a on its left edge,which is adapted to support the light lens 30. On its right-hand sideframe member 21 includes a vertical wall 21C, whose outer wall surface21b is adapted to engage the vertical edge of the tile 11. The upperpart of wall 21b also engages the left edge of beam flange 17a. Framemember portion 21C at its upper extremity is turned over to form portion21g, which extends horizontally to the right and rests on a portion ofthe upper surface of beam flange 17a.

Frame member 21 also includes a vertical center portion 211, whichtogether with the vertical portion 21b forms a channel 21d which isidentical to the channel 20d of frame member 20.

The right-hand side of lens 30, as seen in FIGURE 2, is flush againstthe vertical central portion 21f of frame member 21. The left side oflens 30` is retained by a leaf spring 32, which lies on its side uponthe upper surface of horizontal flange 20a of frame member 20, and abutsagainst the vertical center section 20e of frame member 20.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 3 showing a crosssectional view of framemember 22. Frame member 22 includes a horizontal inwardly extendingflange 22a, upon which an end of the light lens 30 rests. Frame member22 has an outer wall forming a vertical outer surface 22e which engagesthe vertical edge of tile 12. Furthermore, the outer wall extends aconsiderable distance above the top of the tile, the upper extremity ofthis wall being labeled 22g and extending above the lower edge of thefixture can 40. Wall 22g,7 forms a light trap, which pre-A vents lightfrom the fixture can from escaping into the room below, between anycrack which might exist between the tile 12 and the frame member 22.Frame member 22 also has a vertical center section 22e, which togetherwith the outer wall forms a channel 22d for receiving one end of acorner fastener 25.

FIGURE 3 is also illustrates a retaining spring 31 which is retained inthe channel 22d and is held by a sloped inner surface of the upperportion of the frame portion 22e. The outer end of spring 31, extendingto the right in FIG- URE 3, engages the upper surface of light lens 30.

FIGURE 4 shows the frame member 22, light lens 30, and retaining spring31, as seen from above.

The invention embodiment of FIGURE 1 is assembled and installed asfollows. First, the spacers 40a and 40b, and spring latches 43 and 44,are attached to the metal can 40. Then the metal can 40 is placed inposition by raising it above the beams 16 and 17 and lowering it untilthe spring latches catch.

Before the lens frame is assembled a plurality of lens retainer springs32 are inserted in position, by sliding them into frame member 20. Thenthe four frame members are assembled by placing their mitered ends, notshown, together and inserting one of the corner fasteners 25 at eachcorner of the frame Each corner fastener is then staked at the notchedportions shown in FIGURE 9. Next the lens 30 is inserted into the openedge of the frame member 20. When lens 30 is pressed tightly against theleaf springs 32, the other side edge of lens 30 is able to drop belowthe laterally protruding portion of the central part 21]c of framemember 21, and then becomes hooked in place by both of the frame members21 and 20. The ends of the light lens 30 then rest upon the flanges 22aand 23a, as seen in FIGURE 3, and since the light lens 30 is generallyof resilient material, these ends would be subject to rattling andvibration if they were not held in place Consequently the retainingsprings 31 are used in order to hold the ends of leus 30 tightly againstthe flanges 22a, 23a.

Spring 31 has a peculiar configuration which is deliberately designedfor the purpose at hand. The spring consists of a fiat strip of metal asseen in FIGURE 4, which is -bent in the configuration as seen in theside view of FIGURE 3. At its extreme right end as shown in FIGURE 3 thespring 31 is twisted up so as to provide a rounded under surface forsmoothly engaging the light lens 30. Between its right or outer end andthe frame member portion 22e, the spring member is bowed upwardly inorder to insure the resiliency of its outer end. Frame member portion22e on its left side is not vertical, but inclines downwardly andinwardly of the frame at an angle of approximately l0 degrees. Spring 31at that point is formed in approximately the shape of a dipper with thehandle being at an angle of somewhat less than 90 degrees relative tothe bowl portion of the dipper. The bowl portion of the dipper engagesthe left side wall of portion 22e, the bottom of .fastener channel 22d,and the inner vertical surface of wall 22g, being therefore securelylocked into place because of the inclined wall surfacepreviouslydescribed of the frame member portion 22e. The left end ofspring 31 does not rise in line with the left side of the bowl, but istwisted over into an approximately horizontal alignment so as to engagethe inner surface of wall 22g with a substantially horizontal force.Furthermore, when the spring 31 is to be removed or detached from theframe member 22, a thin member such as a knife blade is inserted underthe left end of spring 31 and is raised vertically upward so as torelease the otherwise locked bowl portion of the spring from itsretained position.

When the lens frame has been assembled and the lens inserted therein,the frame member 21 is then pushed upward between tiles 12 and 13 and iscaused to pass up above the flange 17a of beams 417. Then the framemember 20 is raised to a nearly level position of the frame, so that theframe portion 20g is able to hook over the right-hand edge of beamflange 16h. The entire frame is then moved to the left so as to permitthe frame member 21 to drop down beside the tile 11, in the positionshown in FIGURE 2. This entire manipulation occurs in thetwo-dimensional plane shown in FIGURE 2, and does not involve anyendwise movement, since the end frame members 22 and 23 simply engagevertical tile edges, as shown in FIGURE 3.

A feature of the apparatus which, for the sake of simplicity, wasomitted from the foregoing description, is the safety hook 33. FIGURE 5shows the configuration of the lower end of safety hook 33, which issecurely anchored in the -channel 21d of frame member 21. The upperportion of safety hook 33 passes upward, beside the can 40, and betweenthe can 40 and the bulb 17C of beam 17. In FIGURE 2 it appears thatsafety hook 33 occupies the same space as is occupied by spacer 40h.However, ordinarily there are two of the spacers 40b and tworespectively associated spring latches 44 along the entire 48 inchlength of the metal can 40. Consequently, a great deal of space is leftbetween the spacers 40b, and on the ends of the can beyond the spacers40h, in which two or more of the safety hooks 33 may be disposed, insuitably spaced relationship along the length of the lens frame. Asshown in FIGURE 2 the upper end of safety hook 33 is bent over, so thatupon a lowering of the hook it will engage the upper extremity or bulbof the beam 17.

Thus, at least two of the safety hooks 33 are attached to the framemember 21 before the insertion of the frame into its installed position.If `for any reason it is desired to remove the frame, as for example, toreplace light bulbs 41, the frame does not drop to the floor but hangsdown on one side, with the frame member 21 being uppermost and beingheld in place by the two or more safety hooks 33 whose upper ends thenengage the bulb 17e of beam 1'7.

In FIGURES 2 and 5 the safety hook 33 is shown as being formed of astiff metal wire. It is in fact preferred, however, to utilize a plasticmember of slightly different configuration, because of its greatlyreduced cost.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIGURES 6 and 7, it will be seen thatthe length of the light fixture can 40 runs perpendicular to the lengthof the beams 116, 117. Beam 116 is not specifically shown in FIGURE 6but its position is indicated. It will also be noted that another beam,designated 100, is located intermediate to the beams 116 and 117, and aportion of the beam 100 is either cut out or else initially omitted inorder to permit the installation of the light fixture in the positionshown.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 6 and 7 the configuration of frame members20, 21, 22, 23 is exactly the same as in the embodiment of FIGURES l to3. However, in FIGURES 6 and 7 the end frame members 22 and 23 are fourfeet long, while the side frame members 20 and 21 are only two feetlong. It is therefore apparent that the words end and side'" as appliedto the frame members of the present invention are arbitrarily selectedand have no particular significance, but are in fact interchangeableunder the circumstances illustrated.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 6 and 7 the end portion of the metal can40, as shown in FIGURE 7, is slightly curved immediately above the beamlocations. This detail differs from FIGURE 2, but does not represent anychange in the configuration of the can 40, but rather simply illustratesthe end of the can whereas in FIGURE 2 the side of the -can is shown. Itwill be seen that safety hooks 33 are incorporated into the embodimentof FIGURES 6 and 7 in the same manner as in the previous embodiment ofthe invention.

While not specifically illustrated in the drawings, it is apparent thatthe frame including the side and end frame members and corner fastenersmay be used for other purposes, independently of the light fixture can4@ and its associated assembly. Specifically, the frame may also be usedin conjunction with an air vent. When thus used the front plate of theair vent is substituted in the position of the light lens 3i). In bothinstances the easily movable frame of the present invention incorporatesa. utility device, where the operative portion of the utility device isa flat plate disposed within the frame, and where the central portion ofthe flat plate is of an energy transmissive nature. That is, the lightlens 30 transmits light in the case of a light fixture as illustrated,while the baflie of an air vent transmits flowing air, which is energyof another form. In accordance with the present invention the ceilingtiles may be removed at any desired location, the removable frameinserted in that location, and the removable frame may then be usedeither in conjunction with the light lens associated with a lightfixture, or in conjunction with the cover plate of an air vent, as maybe desired.

The invention has been described in considerable detail. in order tocomply with the patent laws by providing a full public disclosure of atleast one of its forms. However, such detailed description is notintended in any way to limit the broad features or principles of theinvention, or the scope of patent monopoly to be granted.

What is claimed is:

l. A concealedgrid suspended ceiling construction comprising, incombination:

a parallel pair of beams supported in a common horizontal plane, andadapted to removably support a plurality of ceiling tiles therebetween,each of said beams having a pair of outwardly extending horizontalflanges formed on its lower longitudinal edges;

a metal can adapted to contain and support at least one fluorescentlight bulb;

latch means releasably coupling said can to the upper extremities ofsaid beams, the lower extremity of said can being spaced above said beamanges, whereby said can and light bulb may be conveniently relocated atany desired location in the suspended ceiling construction;

a rigid rectangular frame, which includes a pair of side members and apair of end members, disposed between said parallel pair of beams, eachof said frame side members having support means associated therewithwhich extends upwardly above the corresponding beam flange and laterallyoutward over the upper surface thereof to retentively engage the same;

one of said frame side members and its associated sup* port means beingadapted for vertical movement to disengage it from its associated beamange prior to moving the other of said side members horizontal ly forpurpose of disengagement;

a light lens disposed in said frame;

said metal can and the inner walls of said beams cooperatively directinglight from said light bulb through said light lens;

and holding means securing one of said frame members to one of saidbeams, to prevent inadvertently dropping said frame during installationor removal thereof;

whereby said frame may be convenientlyV removed and replaced withceiling tiles when it is desired to relocate said metal can anduorescent light bulb in a different ceiling location.

2. In a suspended ceiling construction which includes a parallel pair ofbeams supported in a common horizontal plane, each of said beams havinga pair of outwardly extending horizontal flanges formed on its lowerlongitudinal edge, and which further includes first and secondpluralities of rectangular ceiling tiles disposed in end-to-end arraybetween said beams so as to leave a space between said first and secondpluralities of tiles, and supported from and in removable engagementwith the immediately adjacent flange of each of said beams, and easilymovable light fixture arrangement occupying said space, comprising, incombination:

a metal can adapted to contain and support at least one fluorescentlight bulb;

spring latch means releasably coupling said can to the upper extremitiesof said beams;

a rigid rectangular frame including a pair of side members and a pair ofend members, the members of one of said pairs engaging the immediatelyadjacent flanges of said beams and being removably attached thereto, themembers of the other of said pairs engaging the end tile of said lirstand second pluralities of tiles, respectively;

a substantially rectangular light-transmissive plate disposed withinsaid frame;

and spring means releasably retaining said plate within said frame.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 which further includes a pair ofsafety hooks attached to one of said frame members, extending upwardlytherefrom, and having hooked upper ends adapted to hook over one of saidbeams so as to prevent said frame from falling when said frame isremoved and lowered from said space.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein each of said frame members isan aluminum extrusion and has an inwardly extending horizontal flangeformed thereon.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said members engaging saidtiles each includes a solid upper portion which extends verticallyupward to a point outside of, and above, the lowermost extremity of saidcan.

6. An easily movable light lens frame adapted for mounting in asuspended ceiling in lieu of tile, comprismg:

a pair of end frame members and a pair of side members, each being analuminum extrusion and having a smooth undersurface adapted to providean ornamental appearance, each having an external wall surface adaptedto engage the Vertical edge of an adjacent tile, and each being cut at45 angles on its ends and having near its external wall surface on eachof its ends means for receiving a fastening device;

four fastening devices holding associated ends of said frame memberstogether so as to form a rectangular frame;

each of said frame members having on its lower inner longitudinal edgean inwardly extending horizontal flange adapted to support a light lens;

means for attaching one pair of said frame members to the inwardlyextending horizontal flanges of respectively associated ceiling supportbeams so as to be supported thereby;

and a plurality of spring members for retaining the light lens in place;

the upper portions of at least two of said frame members being adaptedto retain said spring members, and said spring members being so formedas to hold the light lens in place while being retained by said framemember upper portions.

9 10 7. An easily movable light lens arrangement adapted 8. A light lensarrangement as claimed in claim 7 for mounting in a suspended ceiling inlieu of ship-lap wherein each of said frame members is an aluminum tile,comprising: extrusion.

a pair of frame end members, one abutting flush against the outer edgeof a horizontal ange of a 5 References Cited by the Examiner supportingbeam and simultaneously hooking over UNITED STATES PATENTS said flange,the other extending beneath the full hooking over a horizontal flangethereof; 2852663 9/1958 Stuif r t al' "2 40 E7 a pair of frame sidemembers, engaging the vertical 10 3081398 3/1963 Kani e 240 9 edge of anadjacent tile and having a light-trap `3158330 11/1964 vanSt'e'ri'h-Qe-In',"40 147 portion extending vertically thereabove;3185833 5/1965 Bl-tzer 240 9 four separate fastening devices fastened t0the ends 3209137 9 /1965 Sthlhut 240:9

of said frame members to form a rectangular frame, each of said framemembers having a horizontal 15 HE P E ange formed thereon which extendsinwardly of NORTON ANS R ,lm ary xammer' said frame and; M. Exmlfle.

a substantially rectangular light-transmissive .plate dis- C. R RHODES,C Cl LOGAN ASSI-Smm Emmi-em posed within said frame upon said inwardlyextending flange thereof. 20

2. IN A SUSPENDED CEILING CONSTRUCTION WHICH INCLUDES A PARALLEL PAIR OF BEAMS SUPPORTED IN A COMMON HORIZONTAL PLANE, EACH OF SAID BEAMS HAVING A PAIR OF OUTWARDLY EXTENDING HORIZONTAL FLANGES FORMED ON ITS LOWER LONGITUDINAL EDGE, AND WHICH FURTHER INCLUDES FIRST AND SECOND PLURALITIES OF RECTANGULAR CEILING TILES DISPOSED IN END-TO-END ARRAY BETWEEN SAID BEAMS SO AS TO LEAVE A SPACED BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND PLURALITIES OF TILES, AND SUPPORTED FROM AND IN REMOVABLE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT FLANGE OF EACH OF SAID BEAMS, AND EASILY MOVABLE LIGHT FIXTURE ARRANGEMENT OCCUPYING SAID SPACE, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: A METAL CAN ADAPTED TO CONTAIN AND SUPPORT AT LEAST ONE FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULB; SPRING LATCH MEANS RELEASABLY COUPLING SAID CAN TO THE UPPER EXTREMITIES OF SAID BEAMS; A RIGID RECTANGULAR FRAME INCLUDING A PAIR OF SIDE MEMBERS AND A PAIR OF END MEMBERS, THE MEMBERS OF ONE OF SAID PAIRS ENGAGING THE IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT FLANGES OF SAID BEAMS AND BEING REMOVABLY ATTACHED THERETO, THE MEMBERS OF THE OTHER OF SAID PAIRS ENGAGING THE END TILE OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND PLURALITIES OF TILES, RESPECTIVELY; A SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR LIGHT-TRANSMISSIVE PLATE DISPOSED WITHIN SAID FRAME; AND SPRING MEANS RELEASABLY RETAINING SAID PLATE WITHIN SAID FRAME. 